David Oyelowo, Jared Hess and Katherine McNamara Among Honorees at the 21st Annual HollyShorts Film Festival

Getty Images/Hollyshorts/Misan Harriman

The 21st HollyShorts Film Festival is set to honor major industry talents at their upcoming edition of the festival, which will return to Hollywood from August 7-17. Among the names to be recognised are actor-director David Oyelowo, director Jared Hess and actress Katherine McNamara.

David Oyelowo will receive the prestigious Luminary Award for his outstanding contributions to cinema, both through his powerful on-screen performances and his lasting impact on the industry. Perhaps best known for portraying Martin Luther King Jr. in Ava Duvernay’s Selma, the Golden Globe-nominated actor has earned widespread acclaim for his diverse body of work while consistently championing underrepresented voices in film and television. He also starred in Misan Harriman’s The After, which won the Best Live Action Short Film Award at the 19th HollyShorts Film Festival and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Live Action Short.

"I consider it a great compliment to receive the Luminary Award from HollyShorts. This is a festival that champions bold, diverse and boundary-pushing storytelling, which is always my goal as a storyteller. To be recognized among so many game changing filmmakers who are redefining cinema is a welcome encouragement  for me to keep going." - David Oyelowo

Jared Hess, 2025 HollyShorts Honoree

The Visionary Award, honoring outstanding achievement in directing, will be presented to Jared Hess, whose filmography includes the cult classic Napoleon Dynamite, the comedy Nacho Libre, and this summer’s fantasy blockbuster A Minecraft Movie starring Jason Momoa and Jack Black. Hess’ Ninety-Five Senses premiered at the 18th HollyShorts Film Festival and was Oscar-nominated for Best Animated Short Film.

"I'm incredibly grateful to be honored with this special award.  HollyShorts is a festival I've always admired for its dedication to new and innovative storytellers.  I'm very humbled to be recognized by this wonderful community”. - Jared Hess

Katherine McNamara, who served as jury at the 2024 HollyShorts, is best known for portraying Clary Fray in the supernatural drama series Shadowhunters and as Mia Smoak in the superhero series Arrow, will be awarded the Rising Star. Having launched her career on Broadway at just 13 years old, McNamara has steadily built a strong presence in film and television, emerging as a rising force and standout talent in the industry.

“It’s truly an honor to receive the Rising Star Award from HollyShorts. Having been involved with and witness to some of the amazing work this festival has done to find and foster incredible artists in cinema, it is a privilege for which I am eternally grateful. Here’s hoping this is only the beginning of the work I will have an opportunity to do in this industry and of my collaboration with HollyShorts.” - Katherine McNamara

HollyShorts is an annual film festival that celebrates and showcases short films from around the world. Known for its strong emphasis on innovation and creativity, the festival brings together emerging filmmakers and industry professionals to screen a diverse range of short films across various genres and provide opportunities for networking, collaboration, and exposure.

Following the launch of its new Sports category in 2024, HollyShorts is proud to present the Sports Culture Icon Award to legendary designer Jeff Hamilton, in recognition of his lasting impact at the intersection of sports, fashion, and culture. For decades, Jeff has been the creative force behind some of the most iconic imagery in sports history, designing championship jackets worn by legends across the NBA, NFL, and MLB. His unmistakable style and artistic vision have become symbols of victory, swagger, and legacy, making his contributions an integral part of sports storytelling.

HollyShorts is also proud to honor Ultra Music Festival with the Global Visionary of Sound Award, celebrating its influence on the evolution of music culture, live experience, and festival innovation. From its electrifying stages to its global reach, Ultra has reshaped how music is experienced, blurring boundaries between genres, nations, and communities. As a cultural force, Ultra continues to inspire and expand the possibilities of what a music festival can be.

The Female Sports Director Award goes to Madeline Down, a dynamic voice in the worlds of sports and documentary filmmaking. As the former Managing Director of Video Production for the Seattle Seahawks, Madeline is a four-time Emmy Award winner with more than twenty film festival selections to her name. Her work stands at the powerful intersection of storytelling and sport, capturing moments that resonate deeply with audiences. She plays a pivotal role in the upcoming Seahawks documentary 12, produced by Marshawn Lynch’s Beastmode Productions in collaboration with Victory Sports Media, showcasing her continued commitment to meaningful, socially relevant content.

Lastly, HollyShorts presents the AfroHouse Label Maverick Award to Deep Root Tribe, helmed by Ajamu Kambon, for its innovative leadership and cultural impact within the AfroHouse movement. Deep Root Tribe represents the spirit of artistic fusion and global rhythm, championing talented artists and pioneering a distinct sound that bridges continents and communities. With fearless creativity and a commitment to authenticity, the label has played a crucial role in introducing AfroHouse to new audiences and elevating its global influence.

Held at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, and streaming virtually through Bitpix TV, the festival opens on August 7 and will culminate in the Awards Gala on August 17, where the winners will be announced.

OPENING NIGHT FILMS

Meron Alon’s TOO GOOD, produced by Arjun Yadav, follows a recently deceased man who finds himself at the Gates of Heaven. There, he undergoes an unexpected and unconventional interview with none other than God, to determine whether he’s worthy of entering the afterlife. Starring Jean Smart (Hacks, Babylon) and Lil Rel Howery (Get Out, Free Guy).

VICTORY is a genre-defying visual album from hip-hop icon Ricky Walters, aka Slick Rick, and executive produced by Idris Elba — a bold, immersive work that captures the pulse of a movement through the voice of a cultural force and icon. Filmed across three continents and recorded in France and the U.K., the project follows Rick as he shapes an unapologetically modern narrative, with a cast of British actors portraying him at different stages of his life. Featuring powerful collaborations with Nas and Giggs, VICTORY blends vérité-style filmmaking, stylized performance, and intimate behind-the-scenes moments. It’s a celebration of identity, voice, and visual expression — across race, across culture — in a world that often refuses to hear. More than music, VICTORY is about the power of imagination, storytelling, presence, pressure, and the beauty of breaking through.

Andrew Leeds’ BULLDOZER is a darkly comedic exploration of heartbreak, desperation, and unexpected transformation. Jo’s world unravels when she discovers her boyfriend has been secretly seeing sex workers. In a misguided attempt to win him back, she threatens suicide—only to find herself placed under a 5150 psychiatric hold and committed to a state-run facility. What begins as a breakdown may become a breakthrough.

Produced by Rhett Reese and Joanna Leeds, the film stars Mary Steenburgen, Joanna Leeds (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Nat Faxon (Loot), Tim Bagley (Grace and Frankie), Allen Leech (Downton Abbey), Kate Burton (Grey’s Anatomy), Chris “CP” Powell (How to Die Alone), and Nick Armstrong (Parks and Recreation).

Ryan Farhoudi’s ROAD KILL, produced by Sophie Kargman, features an ensemble cast including Skyler Gisondo (Booksmart, The Righteous Gemstones, Licorice Pizza), Jonathan Tucker (Kingdom, The Virgin Suicides, Palm Trees and Power Lines), Alycia Debnam-Carey (Fear the Walking Dead, It’s What’s Inside), and Chris Sheffield (The Maze Runner). The story unfolds on a desolate stretch of highway in the dead of night, where Adam Reetz makes a chilling discovery, a lifeless body lying just off the road.

Stormzy takes the lead in BIG MAN, a compelling short film from Apple and #Merky Films, directed by Academy Award winner Aneil Karia. Filmed entirely on iPhone, the story follows a former rap star who forms an unlikely connection with two fearless kids, igniting a journey filled with joy, meaning, and new beginnings.

Todd Wiseman Jr’S., ****** (FIVE STARS) is a gripping short film that follows a French teenager’s trail of death and Directed bydestruction across Florida—all before dinnertime. Produced by Christa Boarini, the film stars Milo Machado-Graner (Anatomy of a Fall).

RISE, directed by Jessica J. Rowlands and produced by Joe Njagu, stars Tongayi Chirisa (Transformers: Rise of the Beasts) and introduces Sikhanyiso Ngwenya. Set against the harsh backdrop of a Zimbabwean rubbish dump, the film follows a spirited young boy who must persuade a withdrawn, world-weary boxing coach to train him. In a world that has cast him aside, he fights not just for survival, but for dignity and hope.

EM AND SELMA GO GRIFFIN HUNTING, directed by Alexander Thompson and produced by Roger Mayer, is a 1930s-set allegorical coming-of-age tale that explores the bond between mothers and daughters, and the monsters they pursue. Starring Milly Shapiro (HEREDITARY) and Pollyanna McIntosh (THE WALKING DEAD).